Liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

An LCD has a storage electrode wire between long sides of partitions of a pixel electrode and gate lines or data lines. A gate wire and a storage electrode wire are formed on a substrate and covered with a gate insulating layer. A data wire is formed on the gate insulating layer and covered with a passivation layer. A thin film transistor including gate, source and drain electrodes are provided on the substrate. A pixel electrode is formed on the passivation layer and connected to the drain electrode. The pixel electrode is divided into three partitions, a first one having long and short sides parallel to data lines and gate lines, respectively, and second and third ones vice versa. A storage electrode line and some storage electrodes are disposed between the long sides of the partitions and the gate or the data lines, and between the long sides of the partitions. Other storage electrodes disposed between the short sides of the partitions and the gate or the data lines are covered by the pixel electrode. A storage electrode between the short side of the first portion and the long side of the partition is spaced apart from the first partition by at least 3 μm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (a) Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display, andparticularly to a vertically aligned liquid crystal display having apixel area divided into a plurality of small domains for wide viewingangle.

[0003] (b) Description of Related Art

[0004] In general, a liquid crystal display (referred to as an “LCD”hereinafter) has an upper panel, a lower panel and a liquid crystallayer disposed therebetween. The upper panel has a common electrode, aplurality of color filters and the like, and the lower panel has aplurality of thin film transistors, a plurality of pixel electrodesconnected thereto and so on. In addition, a pair of polarizers areattached to the panels. The pixel electrodes and the common electrodeare applied with electrical voltages to generate electric field whichvaries the orientation of liquid crystal molecules. The variation of theorientation of the liquid crystal molecules changes the polarization oflight incident on the liquid crystal layer after passing through one ofthe polarizers, thereby controlling the transmittance of the light outof the other polarizer.

[0005] One drawback of a conventional LCD is its narrow viewing angle.Several methods for widening the viewing angle have been developed. Oneof the methods is to align the long axes of the liquid crystal moleculesvertical to the panels and to form apertures or protrusions in the pixelelectrodes and/or in the common electrode facing the pixel electrodes.The domain defining members such as aperture or protrusions definedomains, and the domains in turn define the alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules therein.

[0006] The apertures formed in the pixel electrodes and the commonelectrode result in a fringe field. By using the fringe field, the tiltdirections of the liquid crystal molecules are controlled to enlarge theviewing angle.

[0007] The protrusions are provided on the pixel electrodes and thecommon electrode formed in the upper and the lower panels. The electricfield altered by the protrusions are used to control the tilt directionsof the liquid crystal molecules.

[0008] Another method is by forming apertures in the pixel electrodes ofthe lower panel, while having protrusions on the common electrode of theupper panel. The tilt directions of the liquid crystal molecules arecontrolled to form domains by using the fringe field generated by theapertures and the protrusions.

[0009] In addition, gate lines and data lines provided in the lowerpanel and arranged in rows and columns carry scanning signals and imagesignals, and the pixel electrodes and the thin film transistors aredisposed in rectangular areas defined by the intersections of the gatelines and the data lines. When the scanning signals and the imagesignals are transmitted by the gate lines and the data lines the signalsinfluence the electric fields adjacent thereto, and the stability of thedomains and the image quality deteriorate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aliquid crystal display having improved image quality by preventingelectric field of a gate line and a data line from influencing on theelectric field in a domain.

[0011] According to the present invention, these and other objects areaccomplished by disposing a storage electrode wire between a gate lineor a data line and a pixel electrode.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, first, secondand third signal lines are formed on a first substrate. The secondsignal line is insulated from and intersects the first signal line, andthe third signal line is insulated from the first and the second signallines. A pixel electrode is formed in a pixel area, which is defined byintersections of the first and the second signal lines. The pixelelectrode has a plurality of partitions and a plurality of connectionsconnecting the partitions. A switch is connected to the first signalline, the second signal line and the pixel electrode.

[0013] In addition, a common electrode and a plurality of domaindefining members are formed on a second substrate. According to thepresent invention, a first of the partitions of the pixel electrode hasa first side and a second side shorter than the first side, which aresubstantially parallel to the first and the second signal lines,respectively. The third signal line has a first portion located betweenthe first side of the first partition and the first signal line adjacentto the first side of the first partition.

[0014] A second of the partitions of the pixel electrode may have afirst side and a second side shorter than the first side, which aresubstantially parallel to the second and the first signal lines,respectively. In this case, it is preferable that the third signal linehas a second portion disposed between the first sides of the secondpartition and the second signal line.

[0015] The second portion of the third signal line preferably overlapsin part the first sides of the partitions of the pixel electrode.

[0016] The third signal line may further have a third portion adjacentto the second sides of the partitions of the pixel electrode, and it ispreferable that the second portion of the third signal line issubstantially covered by the pixel electrode. In addition, the thirdsignal line may have a fourth portion spaced apart by at least 3 μm fromthe second sides of the pixel electrode. The third signal line ispreferably formed of the same layer as the first signal line.

[0017] Alternatively, the third signal line may further have a portionlocated between the partitions of the pixel electrode.

[0018] A third of the partitions of the pixel electrode may have a firstside and a second side shorter than the first side, which aresubstantially parallel to the second and the first signal lines,respectively. In this case, the first to the third partitions arepreferably arranged along the first signal lines.

[0019] Preferably, the third signal line is applied with a commonvoltage which is applied to the common electrode.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, an LCDincludes first and second panels opposite each other and a liquidcrystal layer therebetween. The first panel has a first electrode, afirst domain defining member and a signal wire, and the second panel hasa second electrode and a second domain defining member. According to thepresent invention, the first and the second domain defining membersdefine a domain where molecules of the liquid crystal layer are alignedsubstantially in one direction. The planar shape of the domain has afirst side and a second side of being shorter than the first side. Thefirst panel also has an interference protection wire which is locatedbetween the first side of the domain and the signal wire adjacentthereto.

[0021] Preferably, the first or second domain defining members include aplurality of partitions with a first partition disposed in one of twohalves of a pixel area for further dividing into two domains the onehalf pixel area and a second and third partition for dividing the secondhalf of the pixel areas into three domains. The first partition ispreferably disposed in a direction transverse to the direction of thesecond and third partitions.

[0022] According to still another embodiment of the invention, a liquidcrystal display (LCD) comprising: a gate wire and a storage electrodewire formed on a substrate and covered with a gate insulating layer; adata wire formed on the gate insulating layer and covered with apassivation layer; a pixel electrode formed on the passivation layer,the pixel electrode is divided into a plurality of partitions, whereinthe storage electrode wire is disposed between the partitions and thegate or the data wires. Preferably, the storage electrode wire is spacedapart from a first partition by at least 3 μm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIGS. 1A and 2A are layout views of thin film transistor arraypanels for LCDs according to the first and second embodiments of thepresent invention, respectively.

[0024]FIGS. 1B and 2B are layout views of color filter panels for LCDsaccording to the first and second embodiments of the present invention,respectively.

[0025]FIGS. 1C and 2C are layout views of LCDs made by assembling thethin film transistor array panels shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A and the colorfilter panels shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B according to the first and secondembodiments of the present invention, respectively.

[0026]FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the thin film transistorarray panel taken along the line 1D-1D′ of FIG. 1A.

[0027]FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of the color filter panel takenalong the line 1E-1E′ of FIG. 1B.

[0028]FIG. 1F shows a modified example of the color filter panel shownin FIG. 1E.

[0029]FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the thin film transistorarray panel taken along the line 2D-2D′ of FIG. 2A.

[0030]FIG. 3A shows an exemplary arrangement of conductors near a gateline of an LCD according to the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 3B shows equipotential lines of an LCD having a storageelectrode of a common voltage between a gate line and a pixel electrodeas shown in FIG. 3A, and those of an LCD without storage electrode.

[0032]FIG. 4A shows an exemplary arrangement of conductors near a dataline of an LCD according to the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 4B shows equipotential lines of an LCD having a storageelectrode of a common voltage between a data line and a pixel electrodeas shown in FIG. 4A, and those of an LCD without storage electrodes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferredembodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, the thickness oflayers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer tolike elements throughout. It will be understood that when an elementsuch as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being “directly on” another element, there are no interveningelements present.

[0035] A liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment will nowbe described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1E.

[0036]FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are layout views of a thin film transistorarray panel, a color filter panel and an LCD according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIGS. 1D and 1E arecross-sectional views taken along the lines 1D-1D′ and 1E-1E′ of FIGS.1A and 1B, respectively.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1D, a thin film transistor arraypanel according to the present invention will be described. A gate wire20 and 21, and a storage electrode wire 30-34 are formed on atransparent insulating substrate 10, preferably made of glass. The gatewire includes a gate line 20 extending in a transverse direction and agate electrode 21 which is a branch of the gate line 20. The storageelectrode wire includes a storage electrode line 30 extending in adirection parallel to the gate line 20, and first to fourth storageelectrodes 31, 32, 33 and 34, which are branches of the storageelectrode line 30. The first storage electrode 31 directly connected tothe storage electrode line 30 extends in a longitudinal direction, andthe second and the third storage electrodes 32 and 33 are connected topoints between two opposite ends of the first storage electrode 31 andextend in the transverse direction. The fourth storage electrode 34extends in the longitudinal direction, and the second and the thirdstorage electrodes 32 and 33 are connected to the fourth storageelectrode 34 at points between the two opposite ends of the storageelectrode 34.

[0038] The gate wire 20 and 21, and the storage electrode wire 30-34 arecovered with a gate insulating layer 40. A semiconductor layer 50,preferably made of amorphous silicon, is formed on a portion of the gateinsulating layer 40 on the gate electrode 21. An ohmic contact layer 61and 62, preferably made of amorphous silicon doped with N-type dopantsuch as phosphorus and having two separated portions 61 and 62 is formedon the semiconductor layer 50. A data wire 70, 71 and 72 is formed onthe gate insulating layer 40 and the contact layer 61 and 62. The datawire includes a plurality of data lines 70 on the gate insulating layer40, which extends in a vertical direction. The data wire furtherincludes a source electrode 71 and a drain electrode 72 disposed on thetwo portions 61 and 62 of the contact layer, respectively. The sourceelectrode 71 has a U-shaped portion. It is a branch of the data line 70and is separated from the drain electrode 72. A portion of thesemiconductor layer 50 disposed between the source and the drainelectrodes 71 and 72 are exposed.

[0039] A passivation layer 80, which has a contact hole 81 exposing thedrain electrode 72, is formed on the data wire 70, 71 and 72, and theexposed portion of the semiconductor layer 50. A pixel electrode 90,which is connected to the drain electrode 72 through the contact hole81, is formed on the passivation layer 80 and located in a pixel areasurrounded by pairs of the gate lines and the data lines. The pixelelectrode 90 is preferably made of a transparent conductive materialsuch as ITO (indium tin oxide) or IZO (indium zinc oxide).

[0040] The pixel electrode 90 is divided into first to third partitions91, 92 and 93 connected via first and second connections 94 and 95. Thepartitions 91-93 are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and haverectangular shapes with four chamfered corners. The first partition 91is located at the lower half part of the pixel area, which is defined byintersections of the two gate lines 20 and two data lines 70. The firstpartition 92 is directly connected to the drain electrode 72 through thecontact hole 81 near the lower edge of the pixel electrode 90. Thesecond and the third partitions 92 and 93 are located at the upper halfpart of the pixel area and connected by the second connection 95 nearthe data line 70. The second partition 92 is connected to the firstpartition 91 by the first connection 94 near the center of the pixelarea. The second and the third storage electrodes 32 and 33 are locatedbetween the second and the third partitions 92 and 93 and between thefirst and the second partitions 91 and 92, respectively. The first andthe fourth storage electrodes 31 and 34 are located between the pixelelectrode 90 and the data lines 70. The long sides of the partition 91are parallel to the data line 70, while the short sides are parallel tothe gate line 20. On the contrary, the short sides of the second andthird partitions 92 and 93 are parallel to the data line 70, while thelong sides are parallel to the gate line 20. The second and the thirdpartitions 92 and 93 overlap the first and the fourth storage electrodes31 and 34, but the first partition 91 does not. In addition, the storageelectrode line 30 is located between the third partition 93 and the gateline 20 adjacent thereto. It is common to apply a common potential,which is also applied to a common electrode of a color filter panel, tothe storage electrode wire 30-34.

[0041] The storage electrode wire 30-34 having the common potential isdisposed between the pixel electrode 90 and the data lines or the gatelines adjacent thereto. The storage electrode wire 30-34 acts to shieldthe electric fields in the pixel area from the interference of theelectric field of the data line 70 and the gate line 20.

[0042] Next, referring to FIGS. 1B and 1E, a color filter panelaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

[0043] A black matrix 200, preferably having a double-layered structureof Cr/CrO₂, is formed on a transparent substrate 100. The transparentsubstrate is preferably made of glass. The black matrix 200 defines apixel area by enclosing the pixel area, and a color filter 300 coversthe pixel area. A common electrode 400, a transparent conductor, isformed over the substrate 100, and has first, second and third apertures410, 420 and 430. The lower half part of the pixel area is divided intotwo subareas arranged laterally in a transverse direction by the firstaperture 410 extending in a longitudinal direction while the upper halfpart is divided into three subareas arranged laterally in thelongitudinal direction by the second and the third apertures 420 and 430extending in the transverse direction. Both ends of the apertures 410,420 and 430 are enlarged to form triangular shapes, preferably isoscelestriangles.

[0044]FIG. 1F shows a modified example of the color filter panel shownin FIG. 1E, where the aperture 410 shown in FIG. 1E is replaced with aprotrusion 412. In this embodiment, the common electrode 400 has noaperture, and the protrusion 412 is formed on the common electrode 400.The protrusion 412 is preferably made of organic material. The blackmatrix 200 is preferably made of organic material, and the color filteris preferably formed on the thin film transistor array panel instead.

[0045] Next, an LCD, which is an assembly of the thin film transistorarray panel shown in FIG. 1A and the color filter panel shown in FIG. 1Bwill be described more fully hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1C.

[0046] The LCD according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention is prepared by assembling the thin film transistor array panelof FIG. 1A and the color filter panel of FIG. 1B, injecting andvertically aligning liquid crystal material therebetween, and disposingtwo polarizers on the outer surfaces of the panels such that theirpolarization axes are perpendicular to each other and make 45 degreeswith the sides of the partitions 91, 92 and 93.

[0047] When assembling the two panels, the pixel areas of the two panelsare aligned as shown in FIG. 1C. A pixel region, a portion of the liquidcrystal layer between the corresponding pixel areas of both panels, isthen divided into a plurality of domains encircled by the boundaries ofthe partitions 91, 92 and 93 of the pixel electrode 90 of the thin filmtransistor array panel and the apertures 410, 420 and 430 in the commonelectrode 400 of the color filter panel.

[0048] If the long sides of the partitions 91, 92 and 93 of the pixelelectrode 90 are adjacent to the data line 70 or the gate line 20, thestorage electrode line 30 or the storage electrodes 31-34 are disposedbetween the long sides and the data line 70 or the gate line 20. Thestorage electrode line 30 or the storage electrodes 31-34 may partlyoverlap the pixel electrode 90. On the other hand, there is no storageelectrode wire near one short side of the partition 91 of the pixelelectrode 90. The storage electrode 33 is spaced apart by at least 3from the partition 91, and the portions of the storage electrodes 31 and34 near the short sides of the partitions 92 and 93 are almost fullycovered by the partitions 92 and 93.

[0049] As mentioned above, the storage electrode wire 30-34 having thecommon potential between the long sides of the partitions and the gatelines 20 or the data lines 70 blocks the interfering effects generatedby the electric fields from the gate and the data lines 20 and 70 in thedomain. In addition, the storage electrode wire 30-34 near the longsides of the partitions 91-93 strengthens the fringe field in thedomain, thereby obtaining more stable domains. The fringe field means atilted electric field intentionally generated to control the tiltdirections of the liquid crystal molecules.

[0050] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the liquid crystal moleculesnear the short sides of the partitions 91-93 gradually vary their tiltdirections depending on their positions. The storage electrode wire30-34 near the short sides of the partitions 91-93 generates an electricfield for each domain, which forces the liquid crystal molecules toalign in a direction and thus prevents the positional variation of theliquid crystal molecules. Accordingly, it is preferable that there is nostorage electrode wire near the short sides of the partitions 91-93, orthat the storage electrode wire near the short sides is covered by thepixel electrode 90.

[0051]FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are layout views of a thin film transistorarray panel, a color filter panel and an LCD according to the secondembodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 2D is across-sectional view taken along the line 2D-2D′ of FIG. 2A.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the structure of the thin filmtransistor array panel of a second embodiment is similar to that of thefirst embodiment except for the shapes of some elements and someadditional elements. In detail, a storage electrode wire according tothis embodiment includes a pair of repairing portions 36, as well asfirst to fifth storage electrode wires 30-34.

[0053] The repairing portions 36 are branches of the first storageelectrode 31, and overlap a data line 70 via a gate insulating layer (40in FIG. 1D)(and a semiconductor layer 50). In addition, referring toFIG. 2D, the end portion 35 of the first storage electrode 31 isenlarged to overlap a repairing connection 96 via the gate insulatinglayer 40 and a passivation layer 80. The passivation layer 80 has acontact hole 82 exposing a buffer 75, and the buffer 75 formed on thesame layer as the data line 70 is disposed on the gate insulating layer40. The repairing connection 96 on the passivation layer 80 overlaps thebuffer 75 near the end portion 35, and a storage electrode line 30 andthe first storage electrode 31 adjacent thereto.

[0054] Another feature of the second embodiment is the shape of a pixelelectrode 90. A first connection 94 between first and second partitions91 and 92 is located at a corner of the partitions 91 and 92 rather thanat the center thereof, and a second connection 95 between the second andthird partitions 92 and 93 is disposed opposite the first connection 94.

[0055] Next, referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, a color filter panelaccording to the second embodiment of the invention will be described.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the color filter panel according tothe second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the firstembodiment except for the shape of the apertures 410, 420 and 430 in acommon electrode (400 in FIG. 1E). In detail, a first aperture 410 inthe lower half part of a pixel area has a shape like a nail having aflattening head and a pointed end. Second and third apertures 420 and430 in the upper half part of the pixel area have two bent end portionsin the opposite directions, and one pair of the facing end portions ofthe second and the third portions converge, while the other pairdiverge.

[0057] Now, the effect of the present invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B.

[0058]FIG. 3A shows an arrangement of conductors near a gate lineaccording to the present invention, and FIG. 3B shows equipotentiallines of LCDs with and without a storage electrode line of a commonvoltage, based on the arrangement shown in FIG. 3A.

[0059]FIG. 3A shows a storage electrode line 30 of a common voltagedisposed between a gate line 20 and a pixel electrode 90, and upper andlower pixels with respect to the gate line 20 are illustrated to belocated at left and right sides, respectively in FIG. 3A. In FIG. 3B, itis shown the equipotential lines for LCDs with and without the storageelectrode line 30 of FIG. 3A when the gate is in “ON” state (i.e., whenthe gate line 20 has “ON” potential due to the application of thescanning signal) and when in “OFF” state (i.e., the gate line 20 has “0”potential in the absence of the scanning signal). The polarities ofupper and lower pixels are the same in the “ON” state, while opposite inthe “OFF” state. In case of EXAMPLE 1, the polarities of the upper andthe lower pixels are positive (+) in the “ON” state, while positive (+)and negative (−), respectively, in the “OFF” state. On the contrary, incase of EXAMPLE 2, the polarities of the upper and the lower pixels arenegative in the “ON” state, while negative (−) and positive (+),respectively, in the “OFF” state. With the storage electrode line 30,there is little difference in the equipotential lines between in the“ON” state and in the “OFF” state. However, without the storageelectrode, there exists much difference therebetween. Accordingly, itcan be seen that the storage electrode line 30, which is always appliedwith a common voltage, effectively blocks the interfering effects fromthe scanning signal transmitted through the gate line 20.

[0060]FIG. 4A shows an arrangement of conductors near a data lineaccording to the present invention, and FIG. 4B shows equipotentiallines of LCDs with and without a storage electrode of a common voltagebased on the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A.

[0061]FIG. 4A shows storage electrodes 31 and 34 disposed between a dataline 70 and pixel electrodes 90. In FIG. 4B, it is shown theequipotential lines for LCDs with and without the storage electrodes 31and 34 of FIG. 4A when the polarity of the signal in the data line 70 ispositive (+) and negative (−). The polarities of the left and the rightpixels are opposite. That is, in case of EXAMPLE 1, the polarities ofthe left and the right pixels are positive (+) and negative (−),respectively, and vice versa in case of EXAMPLE 2. With the storageelectrode lines 31 and 34, there is little difference in theequipotential lines between in cases of positive (+) and negative (−)polarities of the signal in the data line 70. However, without thestorage electrode, there exists much difference therebetween.Accordingly, it is understood that the storage electrode lines 31 and34, which are always applied with a common voltage, block theinterfering effects of the scanning signal transmitted through the dataline 70.

[0062] Advantageously, according to the present invention, while thestorage electrode wire blocks the interfering effects of the scanningsignal and the image signal transmitted through the gate lines and thedata lines, the common voltage applied to the storage electrode wiremaintains the fringe field of the domains, thereby stabilizing theelectric field of the pixel areas and improving the stability of thedomains.

[0063] The number of partitions of the pixel electrode and that of thedomains being divided by the domain dividing member such as aperturesand the partitions can be varied if necessary. In addition, the shapesof the pixel electrode and the domain defining member can be modified invarious manner by one skilled in the art and yet arrive at the sameresult as described above.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described herein withreference to the accompany drawings, it is to be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, andvarious other changes and modifications may be affected therein by oneskilled in the art without departing from the scope or sprit of thepresent invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. The liquid crystal display comprising: a firstsubstrate; a first signal line formed on the first substrate; a secondsignal line insulated from and intersecting the first signal line; athird signal line insulated from the first and the second signal lines;a pixel electrode formed in a pixel area defined by intersections of thefirst signal line and the second signal line, the pixel electrode havinga plurality of partitions and a plurality of connections connecting thepartitions; a switch connected to the first signal line, the secondsignal line and the pixel electrode; a second substrate facing the firstsubstrate; a common electrode formed on the second substrate; and aplurality of domain defining members formed on the second substrate,wherein a first of the plurality of partitions of the pixel electrodehas a first side and a second side shorter than the first side, thefirst and the second sides of the first partition are substantiallyparallel to the first and the second signal lines, respectively, and thethird signal line has a first portion located between the first side ofthe first partition and the first signal line adjacent to the first sideof the first partition.
 2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,wherein a second of the partitions of the pixel electrode has a firstside and a second side shorter than the first side, the first and thesecond sides of the second partition are substantially parallel to thesecond and the first signal lines, respectively, and the third signalline further includes a second portion disposed between the first sideof the second partition and the second signal line.
 3. The liquidcrystal display of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and thesecond portions of the third signal line partly overlaps the first sidesof the partitions of the pixel electrode.
 4. The liquid crystal displayof claim 3, wherein the third signal line further has a third portionadjacent to the second sides of the partitions of the pixel electrode,the third portion of the third signal line being substantially coveredby the pixel electrode.
 5. The liquid crystal display of claim 4,wherein the third signal line further has a fourth portion spaced apartby at least 3 from the second sides of the pixel electrode.
 6. Theliquid crystal display of claim 5, wherein the third signal line is madeof the same layer as the first signal line.
 7. The liquid crystaldisplay of claim 2, wherein a third of the partitions of the pixelelectrode has a first side and a second side shorter than the firstside, the first and the second sides of the third partition aresubstantially parallel to the second and the first signal lines,respectively, and the first to the third partitions are arranged alongthe second signal lines.
 8. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,wherein the third signal line further has a second portion adjacent tothe second side of the second partition of the pixel electrode, thesecond portion of the third signal line being substantially covered bythe pixel electrode.
 9. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, whereinthe third signal line further has a second portion located between thepartitions of the pixel electrode.
 10. The liquid crystal display ofclaim 1, wherein the third signal line is applied with a common voltagewhich is applied to the common electrode.
 11. A liquid crystal display(LCD) comprising: a first panel having a first field-generatingelectrode, a first domain defining member, and a signal wire; a secondpanel opposite the first panel, the second panel having a secondfield-generating electrode and a second domain defining member; and aliquid crystal layer disposed between the first panel and the secondpanel, wherein the first and the second domain defining members define adomain wherein molecules of the liquid crystal layer are alignedsubstantially in a direction, the domain having a planar shape includinga first side and a second side, and the first panel further includes aninterference protection wire located between the first side of thedomain and the signal wire.
 12. The LCD of claim 11, wherein one of thefirst domain defining member and the second domain defining memberincludes a plurality of partitions for partitioning a correspondingpixel area into a plurality of domains for aligning molecules of theliquid crystal.
 13. The LCD of claim 12, wherein the plurality ofpartitions include a first partition disposed in one of two halves of apixel area for further dividing into two domains the one half pixel areaand a second and third partition for dividing the second half of thepixel areas into three domains.
 14. The LCD of claim 13, wherein thefirst partition is disposed in a direction transverse to the directionof the second and third partitions.
 15. The LCD of claim 11, wherein theinterference protection wire is electrically connected to a commonelectrode.
 16. The LCD of claim 15, wherein the pixel area having apixel electrode is formed on a first substrate in the first panel andthe common electrode is formed on a second substrate in the secondpanel.
 17. The LCD of claim 11, wherein the signal wire carries one ofgate and data signals.
 18. A liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising: agate wire and a storage electrode wire formed on a substrate and coveredwith a gate insulating layer; a data wire formed on the gate insulatinglayer and covered with a passivation layer; a pixel electrode formed onthe passivation layer, the pixel electrode is divided into a pluralityof partitions, wherein the storage electrode wire is disposed betweenthe partitions and the gate or the data wires.
 19. The LCD according toclaim 18, wherein the storage electrode wire is spaced apart from afirst partition by at least 3 μm.
 20. The LCD according to claim 18,wherein the plurality of partitions form a plurality of domains in thepixel electrode for aligning liquid crystal molecules therein.